Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System data breach $340K class action settlement

Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System agreed to pay $340,000 to resolve claims its lax cybersecurity resulted in a 2020 data breach.

The settlement benefits Californians whose personal data or medical information was compromised in the Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare data breach between April 30 and June 5, 2020. There are a projected 2,384 consumers that fall under this class definition.

Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System is a network of clinics and hospitals in California. The healthcare system serves the Salinas Valley, Monterey Peninsula and surrounding areas.

In July 2020, Salinas Valley Memorial announced it had been the target of a prolonged data breach. 

Five employee and contractor email addresses were reportedly compromised in April, May and June of 2020. Through an email phishing scheme, hackers were able to gain access to sensitive personal information. The data breach may have compromised names, hospital account numbers, medical record numbers and other information, according to the Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare data breach announcement.

Affected consumers took legal action against Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare, arguing the health system had a duty to protect patient data but failed to do so. As a result, the plaintiffs contend, the healthcare system is responsible for any damages and lost time connected to the data breach.

Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to resolve these claims related to the data breach with a $340,000 class action settlement.

Under the terms of the settlement, class members could collect a cash payment based on the out of pocket expenses and lost time they experienced as a result of the data breach. Class members can recover up to four hours of lost time at a rate of $25 per hour.

Exact payments will vary, but are capped at $750 per class member for both lost time and out-of-pocket expenses. Payments may be reduced on a pro-rata basis if a large number of class members participate in the settlement.

The settlement also includes non-monetary relief. 

Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare has agreed to implement remedial measures to beef up its cybersecurity. This includes hiring third-party auditors for regular penetration tests, maintaining its firewalls, controlling access, conducting regular scans or security checks and providing training to prevent phishing.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Aug. 11, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare data breach settlement is scheduled for Oct. 28, 2022.

In order to receive a cash payment, class members must submit a valid claim form by Aug. 26, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits Californians whose personal data or medical information was compromised in the Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare data breach between April 30 and June 5, 2020. There are a projected 2,384 consumers that fall under this class definition.

Potential Award

Up to $750

Proof of Purchase

Will need a CPT ID and Passcode

Your CPT ID and Passcode can be found in the Notice or e-mail that was sent to you.
If you do not have a CPT ID and/or Passcode, please contact claims administrator.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

08/26/2022

Case Name

V.C. et al. v. Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System, Case No. 20-cv-001923, in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Monterey

Final Hearing

10/28/2022

Settlement Website

SalinasValleyMemorialSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

V.C et al. v. Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System
CPT GROUP, Inc.
50 Corporate Park
Irvine, CA 92606
SalinasValleyMemorialSettlement@cptgroup.com
888-598-3502

Class Counsel

Gayle M Blatt
CASEY GERRY SCHENK FRANCAVILLA BLATT & PENFIELD LLP

Joshua B Swigart
SWIGART LAW GROUP APC

Defense Counsel

Spencer Persson
Courtney DeThomas
Monder Khoury
DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP